Culitos

[Today is Spanish Friday so this post is in Spanish. For the English translation, please scroll down. If you participated in Spanish Friday on your own blog, leave your link in comments!]
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Yesterday I received a message in GMail Chat from my Mom. In English she asked me:

“Is ‘culitos’ a bad word?”

My Mom doesn’t speak Spanish but she knows a few little words from overhearing my kids (her grandkids) talking when we visit. (She can also order pupusas at a Salvadoran restaurant, saying “Quiero dos pupusas de queso” … In other words, she knows the most important phrase.)

I explained to her the difference between “culito” (butt) and “culo” (ass) – that when you add the “ito” or “ita” to a word, you make it diminutive and less offensive.

I thought she was asking me this because my article on Fox News Latino yesterday was about a book called “Culo.” In the article I write that the word is an expletive word in Spanish. My Mom always hears my kids saying “culito” and I thought my Mom was ready to scold me, believing I had taught bad words to her grandchildren.

I was wrong.

“Why are you asking me about culitos?” I responded in chat.

“Because there was a wine at the store by that name with a picture of 3 Rubenesque naked figures on it and I was curious.” she wrote.

I became very excited and asked her if she would take a photo of it for me the next time she visited the store. She said she would.

Less than an hour later, she sent it to me.

Thanks to my mother for the photo and for participating in my craziness.

My mom also uses “el culito del pan” for like the edges of digamos french bread
oh my goodness i dont have the entire day for the uses of culito lol The best one for me hahaha I cant believe i am going to share this I bet somehow later it will bite me in the culito one of my hub’s pet names for me is culito chele lol shhhhhh! lol

That is so weird about the bread – is that a common way to call it in Spanish or just a family thing? … My sister and I always call those crusty end pieces the “butt” in English, (and now my kids call it that too because of me. LOL.) – My Mom always hated that and would tell us it’s called the “heel” …lol.

Amiga, this is hysterical. And that your mami would message you about it! *LOL* I don’t know if I could pour wine from a bottle with a picture of naked butts on it. Not with a straight face, at least. I just saw the badges. You’re going to Blogalicious! Can’t wait to meet you, Spanish teacher. <3